Lapland Hotels has bought the hotel, restaurant and hillside operations in Luosto from Scandic - Lapland Hotelshttps://www.laplandhotels.com
SivuviidakkoWith Lapland Hotels you can find quality accommodation in a hotel, a holiday apartment or a cabin and all holiday activities – all in one place.enSat, 10 Dec 2016 05:05:24 +0200Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:13:00 +020030Airline Germania will start flights to Laplandhttps://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/airline-germania-will-start-flights-to-lapland.html

Winter 2017 promises to be freezing! For the first time ever, Germania has expanded its winter flight schedules to include two destinations in Lapland, Finland, transporting passengers straight to its snowy regions. Rovaniemi, the principle city of Lapland, and Kittilä, which is located even further north, have been added to Germania’s network, offering passengers the opportunity to experience Finland’s unique landscape. Flights to Rovaniemi depart from Berlin and flights to Kittilä depart from Düsseldorf. There will be two flights per week to each far north destination between 11 January and 23 March 2017.

Finland has a lot to offer visitors. Rovaniemi is Santa Claus’s official home town and therefore has an irresistible appeal for children, while Kittilä is the ideal base for any excursions in the region. In particular, the two ski resorts of Levi und Ylläs attract winter sports fans and offer not only downhill skiing opportunities, but also provide plenty of Husky-drawn and motorised sledges to allow visitors to explore the wintery landscape. The greatest attraction of all is the Northern Lights, which light up the Finnish sky in a kaleidoscope of colours when the sun sets, unveiling one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

Karsten Balke, Germania’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), says:“For those who enjoy a proper winter holiday, these two destinations are ideal. We are delighted to be able to offer our passengers flights to snowy destinations, in addition to our established sunny holiday spots.”

Prices start from 129 Euros one way. Tickets are available on the Internet at www.flygermania.com or by telephone on 030 - 610 818 000 (standard German tariffs apply within Germany, mobile phone costs may vary), or through travel agents. All prices include taxes.

Germania celebrates its 30th anniversary! For three decades, Germania has flown travellers to destinations in the sun, major European cities, or to visit friends and relatives. Its passengers can choose from a wide range of fascinating destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. On board, Germania guarantees a friendly service, snacks and soft drinks, and a minimum of 20kg baggage. Germania currently operates 22 aircraft. Further information about the airline and opportunities to book can be found at www.flygermania.com

German airline Lufthansa will open a scheduled route from Munich to Kittila, northern Finland, a move believed to add momentum to the Arctic tourism. The service will commence in December this year, the state owned Finnish airport operator Finnavia announced. Both economy and business class travel on Airbus 320s will be provided.

Director Joni Sundelin from Finavia said in a press release the decision by Lufthansa is great news not only to Finnavia but also to the tourist industry in Lapland.

Kittila is a tourist town associated with the winter resort of Levi in Finnish Lapland area. The vast snowy land has been well known for Arctic activities ranging from sledge safari, snow shoe hiking, and ice fishing to aurora chasing and Santa Claus visiting. It also gets popular for tourists to experience the culture maintained by indigenous Sami people.

The elite of catering have been awarded again at the annual PRO gala in Helsinki. Recognition was given this year in twelve categories in total.In the PRO gala, the Restaurant Chef of the Year prize went to Roope Kotila, shift manager at Lapland Hotel Sky Ounasvaara. The prize adds to Roope's great success story: he won Young Chef in 2014 and represented Finland in an international competition for young chefs in South Africa.

PRO is a prize of acknowledgement given to professionals in the horeca sector. Prizes are given every year in 12 categories that take into account different job areas, responsibilities and titles. PRO nominations can can be made by colleagues, acquaintances, business partners, superiors and customers. Nominees get to the finals based on votes and testimonials. Annual winners are chosen by a panel of judges made up of the top professionals in the field.

Over the years, more than170 catering professionals have received the PRO statue for distinguished work. They include Tomi Björck, Hans Välimäki, Henri Alén, Tero Mäntykangas, Pekka Terävä and many others.

A new challenger for city hotels

Lapland Hotels, Lapland's leading travel industry company, is expanding outside Lapland. The first new hotels will open in Oulu and Tampere towards the end of this year.

From now on, Lapland Hotels will be seeking not only tourists but also business travellers. Lapland Hotels also intends to open new hotels in other key cities around Finland.

“The travel industry is exhibiting steady global growth and, if it plays its cards right, Finland has the chance to share in this growth. We have solid expertise in foreign trade and believe we can bring plenty of new ideas to Finland's more southern cities,” says Pertti Yliniemi, Chairman of the Board of Lapland Hotels Ltd.

The Lapland Hotels brand will be retained in hotel names.

“Finns have a strong emotional bond with Lapland. Lapland is also internationally recognised and evokes positive associations. The new hotels will have a Lappish ambience and Lappish details with an interesting, modern twist. We're improving awareness of our chain by maintaining a presence in our customers’ daily lives,” says Yliniemi.

Cooperation with Finland's largest hotel property owner

Lapland Hotels will expand by leasing two hotel properties currently operating under the Holiday Inn brand from CapMan Hotels Real Estate Fund, a capital investor whose other hotel holdings include Crowne Plaza and GLO Hotel Art. The hotel properties will undergo a complete makeover before opening.

“We're delighted to have an exciting new player in the market. Lapland Hotels will be able to create refined new hotels by combining modern luxury with the mystique and taste experiences of the North. The chain provides a high level of service and has extensive experience of international travel. We believe they have what it takes to expand into business travel,” says Pirjo Ojanperä, Partner at CapMan Real Estate.

Lapland Hotels Ltd.

Lapland Hotels, Lapland’s largest hotel chain, has 13 hotels, 1,600 rooms and apartments, and 8,000 restaurant seats in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Luosto, Rovaniemi, Olos, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas and Hetta. In addition, the chain runs ski centres in Luosto, Olos, Pallas, and the village of Äkäslompolo in Ylläs. Lapland Hotels also owns part of Lapland Safaris, which organises outdoor activities. Lapland Hotels is deeply rooted in the history of tourism in Lapland, as the chain’s oldest hotel, Lapland Hotel Pallas, was established back in 1938.

www.laplandhotels.com

CapMan Real Estate

CapMan Real Estate manages four real estate funds: the CapMan Nordic Real Estate fund, which is in active investment phase and investing in office, retail and residential properties located in the Nordic countries, the CapMan Real Estate I fund, which is focused on commercial properties in Greater Helsinki, the CapMan RE II fund, which is focused on commercial and development projects around Finland and CapMan Hotels RE fund, which owns hotel properties, primarily in Finland. The team comprises of approx. 20 people based in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London.

CapMan Real Estate is part of CapMan Group, a leading private equity firm in the Nordic countries and Russia, with assets under management of €3.2 billion. CapMan has five key investment partnerships - CapMan Buyout, CapMan Real Estate, CapMan Russia, CapMan Credit and CapMan Public Market - each of which has its own dedicated investment team and funds. Altogether, CapMan employs approx. 100 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Moscow, Luxembourg and London. CapMan was established in 1989 and its B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange since 2001.

www.capman.com

]]>Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:33:00 +0200https://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/lapland-hotels-to-expand-south-of-lapland.htmlLapland Hotels buys Ylläs Saaga hotel from Holiday Clubhttps://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/lapland-hotels-buys-yllas-saaga-hotel-from-holiday-club.html
Lapland Hotels buys Ylläs Saaga hotel and restaurant business operations from Holiday Club Resorts Oy. Ylläs Saaga will be transferred to the proprietorship of Lapland Hotels on 1st November 2014 and at the same time the name of the hotel will change to Lapland Hotel Saaga. There are 84 rooms, four restaurants, spa and beauty treatment department, a gym, conference rooms and 113 Chalet apartments for brokerage in the hotel. The personnel of the hotel Saaga will move into service of Lapland Hotels as old employees.

Holiday Club bought the hotel, opened in 2003, from Paperiliitto in 2011. The establishment of Ylläs Saaga started the building process of a versatile tourist village around the hotel and the hotel still is an important engine of the tourist village in the area.

“The location of Saaga in the side of the lake Ylläsjärvi just at the base of the slopes will bring an important contribution to our supply in Ylläs. The spa hotel also supports strongly the operation of our two hotels located in Äkäslompolo village. In addition, tourism in Lapland, and Ylläs as an essential contributor in it, are still in the track of growth. Now it is the right moment to enforce the operational preconditions of the chain for the future growth”, Pertti Yliniemi, the chairman of the Lapland Hotels board of directors, presents as reasons for the acquisition. “Our turnover also has increased for four consecutive years and regardless of the difficult economical situation in the sector and throughout Finland, we managed to grow during the financial year that ended last summer”, says Yliniemi.

“Holiday Club concentrates its investments and operations to holiday resorts where we are able to provide our customers the whole range of services including time share and Villas. Especially we have invested in our biggest holiday resorts Katinkulta and Saimaa in recent years. The Ylläs region is a wonderful holiday destination and Holiday Club will still have over 70 holiday apartments and a sales office in Äkäslompolo. We are glad that we found the best possible company among all the tourism entrepreneurs of Lapland to develop Ylläs Saaga”, says Vesa Tengman, the CEO of Holiday Club. The acquisition includes a cooperation agreement between Lapland Hotels and Holiday Club in the Ylläs region.

YlläsYlläs, located close to the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, is the biggest ski resort in Finland (63 slopes, 28 lifts, 430 m difference in altitude, 330 km cross-country skiing tracks). The ensemble of 7 fells creates a one of a kind environment for Ylläs and provides unique surroundings for hiking also in summer time. Ylläs is also famous for its two genuine Lappish villages: Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi. The landscape route going around the fell and connecting the two villages is also one of the most fantastic roads in Finland.

Lapland Hotels OyAfter the acquisition, Lapland Hotels, the biggest hotel chain in Lapland, has nearly 1600 rooms and apartments and 8000 restaurant seaters in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Olos, Luosto, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas and Hetta. In addition, Lapland’s biggest hotel chain has ski resort operations in Äkäslompolo village of Ylläs, Luosto, Olos and Pallas. Lapland Hotels also is a coproprietor in Lapland Safaris, a programme service provider. The roots of Lapland Hotels are deep in the history of tourism in Lapland because the oldest hotel of the chain, Lapland Hotel Pallas, was founded in 1938. www.laplandhotels.com.

Holiday Club Resorts OyHoliday Club Resorts Oy is the leading company in the sector of time share in Europe and a remarquable operator in free time accomodation and tourism. Company owners include the executive management of the company, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd, Varma, Suomen Teollisuussijoitus Oy, Ilmarinen, Fennia Group and a group of Finnish private investors. Holiday Club Resorts Oy has 30 holiday resorts and 1700 holiday apartments. In the six of the resorts there is a spa hotel in addition to holiday apartments. Nine resorts are located outside Finland in Sweden and in Spain in Costa del Sol and Canary Islands. Holiday Club has about 50 000 families with time share contract. In the financial year 2013–2014, the turnover was 124 million euro and there were 812 persons in the service of the company in the end of the year. For further information: www.holidayclub.fi

For the coming winter season Snowbird Airlines is operating two direct flights a week from London and Helsinki direct to Enontekiö during the period 25 November 2014 – 25 April 2015. Flights will operate on Saturdays and Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

The flights will be made publicly available in early May when Snowbird Airlines launches its booking system. Once the system is up and running flights can be booked direct from the Snowbird Airlines website www.snowbird.fi, travel agencies and internet flight booking sites.

]]>Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:33:00 +0300https://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/there-are-several-ways-to-reach-hetta-enontekio-finland..htmlLapland Hotel Sirkantähti is being fully renovated in summer 2012!https://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/lapland-hotel-sirkantahti-is-being-fully-renovated-in-summer-2012.html
Lapland Hotel Sirkantähti is situated in an idyllic spot right in the middle of the Levi village. All 70 rooms include a private sauna, and will be fully renovated in summer 2012. The key materials will be natural wood and stone, spiced with warm colours. Together, they will create an idyllic and cosy atmosphere.

Our new restaurant is going to be straightforward, offering delicious quality food. It is also an ideal place to stop for a drink or two. The first model room is already done, the actual renovation begins in May and is completed in July. These pictures are planning images, yet close to the final outcome.

Luosto’s traditional log hotel and the Luosto ski centre are part of Lapland Hotels group from 30th December 2011. The hotel consists of 54 log-cabin apartments, 5 hotel rooms and the world’s largest log restaurant. The deal also includes the operations of the Luosto ski centre consisting of three lifts, seven pistes including connecting routes, and the hillside restaurant Ski-Knööli. Scandic’s staff will continue as established employees of Lapland Hotels. At the same time, the property investment company Norgan sold the properties involved to Lapland Hotels Group.

“Luosto is renowned as a log-cabin village. So, we are really pleased to incorporate Luosto’s highly regarded log hotel and log cabins into our hotel range and to complement the services of the Amethyst Spa Lapland Hotel Luostotunturi. Also, Luosto’s hillside operations suit us well, as we already have ski centre operations in Ylläs, Olos and Pallas”, explains Lapland Hotels’ Chairman, Pertti Yliniemi.

Luosto’s hillside services are particularly suited to families and those who enjoy gentle downhill skiing.Pyhä-LuostoNational Parkoffers glorious trails right on the hotel’s doorstep. Scandic is pleased with the deal too.

“The sale of Scandic Luosto is in line with our strategy: we are focusing strongly on towns and cities and on larger hotels. Lapland Hotels is an excellent company to continue the operations of Scandic Luosto. The development of Luosto will certainly be accelerated with one main operator,” comments Scandic’s Area Manager, Tiina Jytilä.

Luosto reservations

Lapland Hotels will honour any current agreements that are in force for the full term of those agreements.

From 1st of January 2012, reservations are to be made and business conducted via the sales service of Lapland Hotel Luostotunturi. For reservations and inquiries, please contact:

Lapland Hotels, which is Lapland’s largest hotel chain, has around 1,300 hotel rooms and apartments as well as around 7,500 restaurant seats in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Luosto, Rovaniemi, Olos, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas and Hetta. In addition, Lapland’s largest hotel chain has ski centre operations in thevillage ofÄkäslompolo at Ylläs, and in Olos and Pallas. Lapland Hotels owns part of the Hotel Luostotunturi and part of Lapland Safaris, which organises outdoor activities. Lapland Hotels’ roots run deep into the history of tourism inLapland, as the chain’s oldest hotel, Lapland Hotel Pallas, was established as early as 1938.

Scandic, the market leader in the Nordic countries with around 160 hotels and 30,000 rooms, has been a frontrunner in the hotel industry since 1963. Scandic’s whole operations are based on providing straightforward travel services that are available to everyone. Scandic has been the first to introduce many features that are now taken for granted in modern hotels. A few such examples include dedicated work in sustainable development, free accessibility for disabled guests, free use of the Internet, gym usage at no extra charge, a hotel shop that is open around the clock and a playroom for the youngest guests.

]]>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:20:00 +0200https://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/lapland-hotels-has-bought-the-hotel-restaurant-and-hillside-operations-in-luosto-from-scandic.htmlHotel Luostotunturi joins Lapland Hotels to reinforce the hotel chain - Lapland’s largest hotel chain is growing according to its expectationshttps://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/benefits-and-inspiration/inspiration/current-events/hotel-luostotunturi-joins-lapland-hotels-to-reinforce-the-hotel-chain-laplands-largest-hotel-chain-is-growing-according-to-its-expectations.html
Lapland Hotels continues to grow as Hotel Luostotunturi, built in 2000, joins the chain as a result of a stock purchase. After this purchase the Lapland Hotels chain consists of 11 hotels and approximately 1,300 rooms and apartments in different parts of Lapland.

“We are expanding our business according to our growth strategy despite the demanding times. The current economic situation, and the sales hiccup it has caused, is only a temporary constraint in the strong and growing trend of tourism in Lapland. Now is the right moment to reinforce the chain’s business conditions while keeping an eye on future growth,” says Pertti Yliniemi, Managing Director of Lapland Hotels.

“Hotel Luostotunturi has been run in an excellent manner at an interesting holiday resort. That is why the decision to become a partner was an easy one," Yliniemi explains.

Hotel Luostotunturi has been the engine of tourism in the Luosto area silver pine cabin village, and it has been an important Lapland-scale international business already as a small family business. Almost half of the hotel’s customers have come from foreign countries. In the newly built Hotel Luostotunturi there are 115 hotel rooms and apartments, three restaurants, nightclub, auditorium, conference rooms and an Amethyst Spa with spa treatments.

Luosto has remained in the shadow of the slightly larger resorts. Nowadays, the owners want to change that with the support from the chain.

“Luosto, located near the Pyhä-Luosto national park, is an idyllic and unique fell centre with an amethyst mine and a silver pine cabin village. Resorts of this type are targets of more and more call and demand in the international market. We believe that Luosto is also a welcome new resort for our existing domestic and regular customers,” states Pertti Yliniemi, Managing Director of Lapland Hotels Oy.

Juha-Pekka Tuominen continues as the Managing Director of Hotel Luostotunturi.

“As the biggest service provider for tourism in the Lapland region, Lapland Hotels makes it possible for the resort to develop and grow further. The chain has the required sales and marketing resources to achieve this,” Tuominen assures.

After this purchase Lapland Hotels owns 33% of the Hotel Luostotunturi. Other partners are Matkailunkehitys Nordia Oy as well as the original owners of the company Kirsti Ryytty-Tuominen and Juha-Pekka Tuominen. Chairman of the company’s board is Pertti Yliniemi.

In addition to Hotel Luostotunturi, the Lapland Hotels chain consists of ten other hotels at nine popular holiday resorts in Finnish Lapland. Lapland Hotels comprises approximately 1,300 rooms and apartments as well as nearly 7,000 restaurant seats in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Olos, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas and Hetta. It includes also ski center services in the village of Äkäslompolo, Ylläs, as well as in Olos and Pallas. www.laplandhotels.com.

In February 2009, Lapland Hotels was the first company in tourism services to introduce Unemployment Security. With the Unemployment Security service the chain’s customer is entitled to a refund for the holiday in case the customer gets laid off or becomes unemployed before the start of the holiday.